Andy is Managing Partner and co-owner of the Connect Group, comprising London based Connect and Belfast based Stratagem.  He provides strategic advice and senior counsel to our clients on media and political strategy, issues management and crisis communications.  Andy draws on his experiences as a former Member of Parliament, representing Corby and serving as a Shadow Minister, member of a Select Committee and Bill Committees.  Prior to this, Andy was Chief Executive of the LGIU, an award winning thinktank and membership body for UK local government.  Andy’s other experience includes: Vice President of the Local Government Association, trustee of the Centre for Public Scrutiny and Board Chair of Local Energy Ltd, a social enterprise business. 

 

Andy has worked in the European Parliament and with the EU Committee of the Regions.  He has also served as a councillor and local authority Cabinet Member in Dartford, Kent.   Andy is a Board Member of the Public Relations Consultants Association and Vice Chair of Governors at the Kettering Buccleuch Academy.  In his spare time he coaches a youth football team in the Weetabix League. Andy features in the PR Week Powerbook of leading figures in public relations. He tweets at @andy_sawford